Gravenhurst ratepayers group in hibernation

David Trethewey, the ratepayer group’s treasurer, said the organization has been on an indefinite hiatus since November 26, when two of its directors resigned. The group ideally functions with a board of 12 volunteer directors, but has now been reduced to only six. Under its bylaws, the group cannot continue functioning with fewer than eight directors at the helm.

Trethewey said that members aren’t as active in civic activities as they used to be.

“It’s going into a hiatus till there’s enough people that want to get involved again,” he said. “When you have a problem, then people get involved.”

Trethewey declined to give the names of the two board members who resigned, and wouldn’t comment on the reasons behind their departure. He said the group currently has over 200 members, down from about 300 just two years ago.

Despite the large number of members on paper, Trethewey says it’s been a challenge to continue the organization’s functions as a vigilant civic watchdog and as a bridge between the community and town hall.

“It’s one thing to have paid members, it’s another thing to have members that want to be active in any association,” he said.

The group’s website archives, which appear to end in 2010, show a plethora of commentary and council meeting minutes covering everything from municipal finances and zoning bylaws to street renamings and education tax levies.

Open letters are posted in which members offered criticisms, suggestions and commendations for elected officials and town staff through the years. The group had also made a habit of forwarding its own input on the municipal budget to councillors every year since its formation in 2006.

That strong sense of civic engagement, however, has since waned. Trethewey says the group now struggles to maintain a regular presence at council meetings.

“There weren’t enough people to do it. It’s just a big commitment,” he said.

The slowing momentum of the group is a far cry from the community spirit it displayed several years ago, when it pushed for a pool and an arena to be built.

But since the Centennial Centre opened, Trethewey feels there hasn’t been any issue significant enough in Gravenhurst to get blood boiling and the masses mobilizing. Even efforts to rebuild the fire-ravaged downtown core, he said, have been progressing efficiently.

“There’s people involved in it that were in our association, everybody seems quite happy with the way it’s going,” he said. “I think things are starting to look better. (Mayor) Paisley (Donaldson’s) been doing a good job.”

Though the group will remain in the shadows for time being, Trethewey says he’s sure the organization will reawaken and make itself heard again when another hot-button issue arrives in town.

For now, Trethewey said he is planning to remain on the board as the organization takes a break from the action.

“I don’t want to see it completely fold. If something comes up in Gravenhurst that people feel strongly about, the association is going to be going in a very short time,” he said. “People will want to step up and join the board.”